Ferns - Ask Extension
I’ve had my ostrich ferns for 20 years and for the first time I noticed half of them are getting reddish brown tips. They are mixed in with my heal...
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Ferns #870909
Asked May 31, 2024, 10:20 AM EDT
I’ve had my ostrich ferns for 20 years and for the first time I noticed half of them are getting reddish brown tips. They are mixed in with my healthy vibrant green ferns.
They are located on the north side of my house and we have not cut any trees in our yard.
I hope my green ferns don’t start turning brownish on the tips!!
Does anyone have any ideas what is going on with my ferns?
Clermont County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Beverly,
I am stumped. This doesn't look like the kind of browning associated with lack of moisture, and from what you've told me, the amount of shade the ferns are receiving hasn't changed. The regularity of the brown edges makes me think something happened to the fiddleheads before they unfurled (frost damage, maybe?), but that is just my guess.
I have emailed someone I know who grows ferns to see if he knows what's going on or can point me in the direction of a fern specialist who can diagnose this issue. I will get back to you when I find out more.
I am stumped. This doesn't look like the kind of browning associated with lack of moisture, and from what you've told me, the amount of shade the ferns are receiving hasn't changed. The regularity of the brown edges makes me think something happened to the fiddleheads before they unfurled (frost damage, maybe?), but that is just my guess.
I have emailed someone I know who grows ferns to see if he knows what's going on or can point me in the direction of a fern specialist who can diagnose this issue. I will get back to you when I find out more.
Hi Mary Beth.
I believe that may be the case!!! We did have some frost earlier this spring. That would explain why some ferns are affected and the others are normal. Perhaps the green ferns were not out of the ground when we got that frost.
Hi again,
Fern specialist Jordan Metzgar of Virginia Tech conferred with a colleague who works in plant diseases, and they believe either a late frost or a dry spell was the culprit. They said you can just cut out the affected fronds. Fortunately there appears to be no long-term damage!
Fern specialist Jordan Metzgar of Virginia Tech conferred with a colleague who works in plant diseases, and they believe either a late frost or a dry spell was the culprit. They said you can just cut out the affected fronds. Fortunately there appears to be no long-term damage!
